BlackBerry devices are some of the most popular smartphones across the world, and it is fast becoming the ‘must have’ device in Africa. Research In Motion, the makers behind the device, have sold millions of units on the continent and in a recent Sunday Times Survey, the BlackBerry was voted the coolest brand overall in South Africa.

There are a number of short-cuts that will help BlackBerry users squeeze a bit more functionality out of their device (image: BlackBerry)

In South Africa, it commands a whopping 70% of the smartphone market according to estimates by Vodacom. In August last year, RIM’s Regional Director for East, Central and West Africa, Waldi Wepener revealed in an interview with BusinessDaythat Nigeria is one of RIM’s fastest growing markets globally.

But a BlackBerry is more than just a phone that lets the user make calls – it is also a business tool that allows for more functionality than a traditional mobile handset. But what most BlackBerry users don’t know is that their phone possesses the ability to do so much more than meets the eye.

While most BlackBerry owners only make use of the standard features of the device, there are a number of shortcuts that allow users squeeze a bit more functionality out of their smartphone. Although the shortcuts, or secret codes, will not change the functionality of the device, they will provide for some exciting alterations, views and open some secret menus.

Displays the source code of a Web page. In the Browser, hold “Alt” and press “R”, “B”, “V”, “S”.

* Help Me! menu

Provides crucial technical information about your device, for when seeking technical support or help in forums… Hold “Alt” and (left) “shift”, then press “H”.

* IMEI display

Displays your device’s international mobile equipment identity (IMEI – your serial number) on-screen… Also works from all other GSM handsets. Type “*”, “#”, “0”, “6”, “#” on the Home screen.

* “Soft” reset

Performs a “soft” reset of your device; the equivalent of doing a “battery pull” (ie. Removing the battery for a few seconds). Press-and-hold “Alt”, then press-and-hold (left) “shift”, then press-and-hold “Del”.

The BlackBerry device’s PIN will be displayed. Type MYPIN in a message box for example while composing a new e-mail.

Disclaimer: Although these secret codes and menus have been tested on the BlackBerry 8800 and BlackBerry Curve 8300, they might not work on all models. IT News Africa also can’t be held responsible for users accessing menu functions that are otherwise hidden from normal use.